Inline, through-flow pressure compensator and accumulator

ABSTRACT

The pressure compensator and accumulator comprises a casing having ports at opposite ends. A hermetically sealed air chamber means of elastomeric material is loosely housed within the casing. The device is serially inserted in the flow line by connecting one port to an open end of the flow line, and connecting the adjacent open end of the flow line to the opposite port, whereby flow takes place through the casing from one port through the opposite port. Means are provided to prevent the blocking of the outlet port by the air chamber means when the means moves toward the outlet port under the influence of the flow.

nited States Patent 2,731,038 1/1956 Purcell 138/30 3,035,613 5/1962Beatty 138/30 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,976 1887 Great Britain 138/26 PrimaryExaminer-Herbert F. Ross Attorney-Samuel Levine ABSTRACT: The pressurecompensator and accumulator comprises a casing having ports at oppositeends. A hermetically sealed air chamber means of elastomeric material isloosely housed within the casing. The device is serially inserted in theflow line by connecting one port to an open end of the flow line, andconnecting the adjacent open end of the flow line to the opposite port,whereby flow takes place through the casing from one port through theopposite port. Means are providedto prevent the blocking of the outletport by the air chamber means when the means moves toward the outletport under the influence of the flow.

PATENTIEDJNUV 23 mn 21, 8

.. iI-II v.11"; w

INVENTOR HARRY I? KUPIEC Bag/WM ATTORNEY INLINE, THROUGH-FLOW PRESSURECOMPENSATOR AND ACCUMULATOR This invention relates to expansiblechamber-type pressure compensators and accumulators, particularly of thein-line, through-flow type.

Pressure compensators of the expansible chamber type are utilized influid systems wherein pressure and flow vary. The compensator may act asa shock absorber or dampener to absorb transient pressure pulses, andthereby obtain a more constant pressure flow, or it may be utilized toabsorb water hammer or similar pressure and flow inertia efiects. Thedevice may also be used as a pressure accumulator to store fluid underpressure for subsequent utilization.

Heretofore, such pressure and flow compensating devices have beenconnected to the flow line by a branch line, that is, by a pipetransverse to the main flow pipe. Conventionally, the pressure or flowcompensator has a single port which serves as an inlet and an outlet.This port connects the device to the branch pipe and thereby to the flowin the main flow line.

The branch or transverse-type connecting system between the main flowline and the pressure and flow-compensating device requires a certainamount of head space around the flow pipe, the space depending upon thelength of the branch pipe which is generally perpendicular to the mainflow pipe, and the overall size of the compensator which is attached tothe outer end of the branch pipe. In many installations such space isnot available, or at a premium. For example, in aircraft where space islimited, the fuel pipes pass through tunnels or similar enclosed spacewith very little surrounding space. Connecting pressure and flowcompensators to flow lines in such limited space is difficult andrequires modifications of the enclosing tunnel walls to house and chargethe pressure compensators. The same problems also appear in locationswherein the pipes are located too close to ceilings, walls and similarparts ofa structure.

An object of this invention is to provide a pressure or flow compensatorwhich can be connected in the flow line so that the entire fluid flowstherethrough.

Another object is to provide a pressure or flow compensator which isin-line that is, serially inserted ,in the flow line, whereby theoverall space requirement for installing the compensator in the flowline is that of the cross-sectional dimension of the compensator whichis transverse to the axis of the flow line.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressure compensatorwherein the pressure variations or shocks are absorbed by a hermeticallysealed air chamber means having walls comprising resilient and flexiblematerial, such as rubber, plastic, thin metal bellows material, or thelike. The chamber may be in the form of a hollow sphere, or of toroidalshape, and loosely housed in a metal casing having an end inlet port andan oppositely located end outlet port for connecting the device into aflow line.

A further object is to provide an in-line through-flow pressurecompensator as described above with means for preventing the movable airchamber means from blocking the outlet port when the chamber means ismoved under the influence of the flowing fluid toward the outlet.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the in-line through-flow pressure orflow compensator, and illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are other forms of compensators embodying the conceptofthe invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate embodiments whereih the air chamber means is atorus;

FIG. 8 illustrates a further modification; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2.

The in-line through-flow pressure or flow compensator illustrated inFIG. 1 comprises a casing 1 having an inlet port 2. An expansiblechamber means in the form of a hollow sphere 3, made of elastomericmaterial, is loosely enclosed in the casing. The air within hollowsphere 3 may be under superatmospheric or atmospheric pressure, thechoice of the interior pressure depending upon the various pressure andflow parameters encountered in the particular installation. While theexpansible chamber means is disclosed as being of spherical shape it mayassume other shapes such as toroidal, elliptical and others. It may alsocomprise bellows formation made of metal or elastomeric material.

The casing with sphere 3 therein is closed by a closure plate 4 havingan outlet port 6. The casing is flared out at its open end to form aseat 7 for sealing gasket 8, and the open end is swaged over at 9 toretain closure 4 and gasket 8 in pressure sealing relation with seat 7.

Outlet 6 is located near the periphery of closure plate 4, whereby itcannot be blocked by sphere 3 when the sphere is forced by the flow tocontact closure plate 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the outlet portmust be offset or offcentered with respect to the center of the sphereto prevent closure of the outlet thereby.

In operation, inlet port 2 is connected to an open end of a flow line10a. Outlet 6 is connected to the adjacent open end of flow line 10b,lines 10a and 10b constituting a single-flow line. Thus, the device isconnected serially in flow line l0a-l0, and not to the flow line by abranch line, as in the prior art.

Such in-line, through-flow connection lessens installation spacerequirements. The necessary space is determined by the transversedimension of the casing l in the region of closure plate 4. The use ofthe closed air chamber 3 within the housing also eliminates charging ofthe air chamber, which is necessary in the prior art compensators, andthereby eliminate the necessary space requirement for access to thecharging port and valve. I

FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose another embodiment wherein the casing is made upof two similar half-shells 12 having mating flanges 13. Each shell 12may be fabricated by drawing suitable metal in substantial semisphericalshape. Then elastomeric chamber 3 is inserted and both halves of thecasing are joined together at their flanges 13 by cementing, welding. orby any other means to insure a proper pressure sealing joint.

Each shell 13 is provided with a port 14 at its apex, which port mayserve as an inlet or outlet. To prevent sphere 3 from blocking a port14, dimples or deformations 16 are formed in one or both shells l2, andspaced around a port 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

It should be noted that sphere 3 is spaced between shells 12 to providea sufficient flow path and still'provide a large expansible chamberwithin the casing formed by shells 12. This forms a compact but largecapacity pressure compensator, occupying very little space in relationto its capacity.

In view of dimples 16 which prevent closure of the ports by the sphere,each port 14 may be an inlet or an outlet, since it cannot be blocked.

FIG. 4 discloses a pressure compensator in the form of a cylindricalcasing 18 having ports 22 and 23 at its ends. Sphere 3 is housed withinthe casing 18 which comprises a barrel 19 and closure ends securedthereto. To prevent the sphere from moving to and closing off the ports,spiders 20 having flow passages 21 therethrough are provided between anend of the casing and the sphere, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is somewhat diagrammatic in that the casing is shown as anintegral structure. In actual construction, the ends, or at least oneend, carrying ports 22 and 23 would be screwed or otherwise detachablysecured to barrel 19. The spiders and sphere would be inserted in thebarrel 19 before its open end is closed.

If desired, only one spider may be used, but it must be located adjacentthe port which serves as the outlet port of the device.

FIG. 5 discloses a pressure compensator comprising a suitable casing 25,similar to casing 18 of FIG. 4, with elastomeric hollow sphere 3therein. Ports 26 and 27 at the ends of the casing are offcentered.Thus, sphere 3 is unable to block any of the ports 26 or 27 which servesas the outlet port. In contrast with the embodiment of FIG. 1, theembodiment of FIG. 5 may utilize any ofits ports 26 and 27 as an outletport.

In lieu ofa spherical air chamber means, other shapes may be used. FIG.6 discloses an air chamber means 30 of toroidal shape. Chamber means 30is housed in a casing comprising two similar semispherical members 31secured together at their flanges 32. Chamber means 30 has its othersurface 33 generally spherical to complement the interior shape of thecasing members 31. Ports 34 and 35 connect intermediate the flow linewhereby flow takes place through the ports and interior passage 36 oftoroidal chamber means 30. The chamber 37 within the chamber means 30may be under either atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an elongated elastomeric toroidal chamber means 38within a casing 39 provided with inlet-outlet ports 40 and 42 at itsends. Ports 40 and 42 are in general alignment with passage means 43 oftorus 38. Chamber 44 of chamber means 38 is under a pressure selectedfor the requirements of the particular installation.

The pressure compensator of FIG. 7 is suitable where space around theflow line is very limited.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a further embodiment. Elastomeric hollow sphere3 is housed within casing 47. Inlet-outlet ports 48 and 49 are providedat the ends of casing 47. To prevent sphere 3 from blocking or closingoff the ports, sphere 3 is located within a U-shaped member having abase 50 and extending sides 51. Base 50 is cross-sectionally curved toconform to the interior surface of casing 47, as illustrated in FIG. 9.Each side 51 extends to a point somewhat centrally of ports 48 and 49.Thus, as sphere 3 moves toward the outlet port, the corresponding side51 prevents the spheres surface from blocking the port. This isillustrated in FIG. 8 wherein port 49 is th outlet port and its adjacentside 51 stops movement of the sphere toward blocking position of theport.

Each of the above embodiments may also be connected to the flow line bya transverse branch pipe, as in the prior art. It merely involvesplugging or otherwise closing off one of the two ports. For example,port 34 (FIG. 6) may be closed by a plug 54 and port 35 may be connectedby a branch pipe to a T- fitting 55 inserted in the flow line 56.

It should be noted that in all embodiments the elastomeric chamber meansloosely lies within the casing and is capable of limited movementtherein, that is, it is not so secured to the casing by external meansas to render it immovable or inflexible relative to the casing walls.While the embodiments of FIGS. 2-3, 4, 6 and 7 disclose arrangementswherein the elastomeric body is contacted by the casing walls orprojections therefrom, it is merely in contact therewith and is capableof relative movement thereto. In actual practice, there would be slightclearance and tolerance between the interior of the casing and the outersurface of the elastomeric body for ease ofassembly, and similarreasons.

Although several preferred embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed for purpose of illustration, it is apparent that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. An in-line through-flow pressure compensator comprising a closedsymmetrical casing having even interior surfaces, inlet and outlet portmeans at opposite ends, respectively, of the casing providing a flowpath between ends of a flow line and thereby connect said casingserially into the flow line, a detachable, hermetically sealed,generally spherical air chamber means fitted loosely within said casingbetween said port means, said air chamber means formed of flexible andresilient material, said outlet port means being located offset from theaxis of symmetry of said casing thereby preventing said air chambermeans from seating and closing the offset outlet port means when the airchamber means IS moved toward the outlet end.

2. The pressure compensator of claim 1 wherein the casing comprises ahollow body and an end closure secured thereto to form an end wall ofthe closed casing, said offset outlet port being located in said endclosure, and wherein said air chamber means comprises a hollow sphere ofelastomeric material.

3. The pressure compensator of claim 2 wherein the inlet port means atthe opposite end of the casing is located offset from the axisofsymmetry of said casing on the end wall of the casing opposite saidend closure.

=0 i IF

1. An inline through-flow pressure compensator comprising a closed symmetrical casing having even interior surfaces, inlet and outlet port means at opposite ends, respectively, of the casing providing a flow path between ends of a flow line and thereby connect said casing serially into the flow line, a detachable, hermetically sealed, generally spherical air chamber means fitted loosely within said casing between said port means, said air chamber means formed of flexible and resilient material, said outlet port means being located offset from the axis of symmetry of said casing thereby preventing said air chamber means from seating and closing the offset outlet port means when the air chamber means is moved toward the outlet end.
 2. The pressure compensator of claim 1 wherein the casing comprises a hollow body and an end closure secured thereto to form an end wall of the closed casing, said offset outlet port being located in said end closure, and wherein said air chamber means comprises a hollow sphere of elastomeric material.
 3. The pressure compensator of claim 2 wherein the inlet port means at the opposite end of the casing is located offset from the axis of symmetry of said casing on the end wall of the casing opposite said end closure. 